Yarn twister tension device



May 17, 1960 A. w. LITTLE YARN TWISTER TENSION DEVICE Filed March 4, 1958 YARN TWISTER TENSION DEVICE Arthur W. Little, Havertown, Pa., assignor to American Viscose Corporation, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Application March 4, 1958, Serial No. 719,008

4 Claims. (Cl. 57-58-86) The present invention relates to a yarn-twisting apparatus such as a two-for-one yarn twister. In particular, the invention relates to a yarn-tristing apparatus having an adjustable tensioning mechanism whereby the tension applied to the yarn being twisted may be more accurately controlled and varied as desired.

It has been found that good balloon control of a yarn during the twisting operation can be effectively achieved when dealing with a wide range of yarn denier by providing a yarn tensioning device within the body of the twisting apparatus. In addition, it has been found desirable to provide adjusting means for the tensioning means whereby fine adjustments in the applied tension may be achieved and whereby the tensioning assembly may prove more adequate for a wide range of yarn denier. Also, with certain types of yarn, it is desirable that the tensionapplying assembly have a torsional action upon the yarn in order that the twist will enter the yarn gradually over a given length rather than at one concentrated point in order to prevent the formation of small loops within the individual filaments making up the yarn. Such action is more easily achieved with the use of an adjustable tensioning assembly of the above nature.

It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a novel and improved yarn-twisting apparatus having an adjustable tensioning assembly which may be easily operated to control the tension applied to the yarn being twisted.

It is another object of the invention to provide a novel and improved adjustable tension device for use in yarntwisting apparatus wherein the tension applied to the yarn may be easily adjusted by merely rotating a hand control member supported on the yarn-twisting apparatus.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved yarn-twisting apparatus of the above objects wherein the position of the adjustable tensioning assembly is set after adjustment through a self-locking arrangement.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following description and drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevation partially in section of the novel and improved yarn-twisting apparatus;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view partially in section of the adjustable tensioning assembly and its housing; and

Figure 3 is a top view of the housing and tensioning assembly of Figure 2.

atent] l As mentioned above, the adjustable tensioning means is I incorporated with the general type of two-for-one twisters now in use. For purposes of description, the adjustable tensioning assembly will be described in conjunction with Figure 1 of the drawing.

As seen in Figure 1, the two-for-one twister includes a a the general type of two-for-one yarn twister as shown in I most end of the drive shaft through a suitable washer 7 is a platform support 9 which is designed to support a yarn package 11 collected on a suitable bobbin 13. As shown in the drawing, the bobbin 13 is positioned over a support can 15 which is also supported on the platform 9. Concentric with the can 15 is a tubular housing 17 which has slots 19, 19 in the lower end thereof (see Figure 2) and which also rests upon the platform 9. A housing centering and locking member 21 having fingers 23, 23 which fit into the slots 19, 19 to lock the housing 17 in centered position on-the platform 9 is also secured to the platform 9. It should be pointed out that the support can 15 for the yarn bobbin 13 is centered. upon the platform 9 through contact of the inwardly extending top edge of the can with the periphery of the housing 17.

A bonnet 30 is supported by the housing 17 with the base portion of the bonnet lying within the housing interior to form a sliding fit with the housing wall. The bonnet 30 includes an aperture 32 (Figure 2) extending vertically through the bonnet. A primary tension button or weight 34 may be, if desired, loosely supported by a suitable apertured support 36 (Figure 2) mounted within the aperture 32 at the top portion thereof in the manner shown. It should be pointed out, however, that the use of the tension button 34 may be eliminated, if desired, since a primary tension will be applied to the yarn anyway as it passes through the aperture against the aperture wall.

In operation, the yarn Y travels upwardly from the yarn package and downwardly through the aperture 32 being tensioned while it passes under the tension button 34. From this point, the yarn travels downwardly through the interior of the housing 17 and through a passageway 40 which extends through the housing locking means 21 and the drive shaft 1 to open upon the periphery of the drive shaft 1. From the passageway 40, the yarn is laced through a slot 42 of the twisting disc 5 whereupon a balloon B is formed within the yarn as it passes upwardly to a suitable collecting unit not shown. Opposing magnets 45, 45 mounted upon the underside of the yarn package platform 9 and upon the top wall of the motor 3 serve to prevent the platform 9 from rotating with the drive shaft 1. As the yarn-twisting disc .5 rotates, it of course applies a twist to the yarn passing through the slot 42 of the twist-applying disc.

The tensioning means, which may correctly be termed the secondary tensioning means, will now be described in detail. As seen in Figure 2 of the drawing, a permanent ring support 50 is allixed to the uppermost portion of the housing 17 by a retaining screw 52. The bonnet 30 is rotatably supported upon the ring 50 and is held in position thereupon through a retaining plate 54 which is secured to the bonnet 30 by a retaining screw 56. The peripheral portion of the plate 54 extends under the ring 50. It should be pointed out, however, that the retaining screw 56 is not tightened to such an extent whereby rotation of the bonnet upon the ring 50 is prohibited. A slight clearance is permitted to exist between the plate 54 and the ring 50 whereby the bonnet may be rotated manually.

A bent yarn guide tube 58 is supported within the aperture 32 of the bonnet 30. As seen in the drawing, the tube 58 depends from the bonnet and extends downwardly into the interior of the housing 17 for approximately half of the height of the housing interior. This tube is firmly secured in fixed position with respect to the bonnet 30 by means of a set screw 60 within a lateral threaded channel 62 extending laterally through the bonnet 30 and opening onto the aperture 32. With this arrangement, the screw may be firmly urged against the bent tube 53 to lock it in position with respect to the bonnet. With this arrangement, the bent tube 58 is rotatable with the bonnet 30.

A lower bent yarn guide tube 65 is permanently mountrotated to its desired position. indents 78, 78 are spaced apart from one another, the

73extending laterally through the support 67 and opening upon "the tube '65 as shown in Figure 2 of.the drawing.

With this arrangement, thesupport member 67 and the bent yarn; guide tube 65 are maintained in a non-rotatable condition. I

Since. both the tubes 58'and 65 have a curved or bent configuration, and since the mouth of the lower tube 65 lies adjacent the wall of the housing 17, the discharge end of the upper tube 58 will be moved in a horizontal plane further out of or closer into alignment with the mouth ofthe lower tube 65 depending upon the direction of rotation of thebonnet 30 which carries the upper tube 58. The further the upper tube 58 is moved out of alignment with the lower tube 65, more of the inner surface area of the tubes will come into contact with the yarn traveling therethrough. Such a condition induces increased tension within the traveling yarn. The closer the tubes are in alignment, less of the inner surface area of the tubes are in contact with the traveling yarnwhereby minimum tension is induced within the traveling yarn. It is therefore seen that the tension applied to the yarn may be adjusted as desired by adjusting the alignment of the upper and lower tubes. It should be pointed out that when the discharge end of the tube 58 is in its most direct position of alignment with the mouth of the lower tube 65, a direct, positive tension will be applied to the yarn traveling therethrough although this position is the minimum tension position.

The tension position isv increased as the upper tube 58 is rotated away or out of its position of most direct alignment with the lower tube 65 to a position of 180 out of alignment. Reverse rotation will bring the tubes into decreased tension position.

To indicate the degree of alignment of the upper tube 58 with respect to the lower tube 65, suitable indicia M are marked onto the bonnet and ring surface as indicated in Figure 3 of the drawing.

After the desired adjustment is achieved, the adjustment will be set through self-locking means which will now be described. As seen in Figure 2, a vertically disposed recess 71 lies within the peripheral portion of the bonnet which overlies the upper face 72 of the ring 50. The recess 71 opens directly onto this face 72. Housed within the recess is a tension spring 74 which is urged against the ring 55. Secured to the end of the spring 74 is a ball-shaped member 76 preferably formed of metal. The ball member is of course urged against the face 72 of ring 59 by the spring 74. Cut into that area of the face 72 of the ring 50 which lies adjacent the recess 71 are a series of spaced-apart semicircular indents 78. As seen in Figure 3, these indents lie along an arcuate path for a 180 sweep along the face 72 of the ring 50.

As the bonnet 3i) and its depending yarn guide tube 58 are rotated, the ball 76 will be urged out of its supporting indent and will become lodged in the next indent 78 in successive manner until the bonnet 30 is Specifically, since the ball member 76 will be forced out of one of the indents .being urged against and over the edge of the indent and the tube depending therefrom are locked in position. 3 Further rotation of the bonnet is required to unlock the assembly from its set position.

Fromthe above description, it is seen that a yarntwisting device is set forth wherein the tension applied to the yarn may be easily and accurately adjusted and controlled whereby good balloon control may be achieved in addition to preventing the formation of minute loops within the filaments making up the yarn as occurs when tension is concentrated on the yarn at local positions along the yarn length.

It is to be understood that changes andvariations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended'claims.

i claim:

1. In a yarn-twisting apparatus including a housing and an apertured rotatable bonnet for the housing wherein the yarn passesfrom a yarn package through the apertured bonnet and housing to a twisting device, the improvement comprising an upper yarn-guide tube secured to and depending from the rotatable bonnet and depending therefrom into the housing interior, a lower yarn guide tube secured to a support affixed to the lower portion of the housing and extending upwardly therefrom into the housing interior to terminate at a spaced-apart point from the lower end of the upper tube, said tubes having a bent configuration whereby when the bonnet is rotated the discharge end of the upper tube will be moved horizontally toward or away from the entrance end of the lower tube whereby the tension may be adjusted upon the yarn traveling through the upper and lower tube, and self-locking means included with the bonnet for locking the bonnet in position after it has been rotated to the desired position.

2. In a yarn-twisting apparatus including a housing and an-apertured rotatable bonnet for the housing wherein the yarn passes from a yarn package to a twisting device, the improvement comprising a ring secured to the top of the housing which ring lies adjacent the periphery of the housing for supporting the rotatable bonnet, an upper yarn-guide tube secured to and depending from the rotatable bonnet and depending therefrom into the housing interior, a lower yarn-guide tube secured to a support afiixed to the lower portion of the housing and extending upwardly therefrom into the housing interior to terminate at a spaced-apart point from the lower end of the upper tube, said tubes having a bent configuration whereby when the bonnet is rotated the discharge end of the upper tube will be moved horizontally toward or away from the entrance end of the lower tube whereby the tension applied to the traveling yarn may be adjusted upon the yarn traveling through the upper and lower tube, and selflocking means included with the bonnet for locking the bonnet in position after it has been rotated to the desired position.

3. In a yarn-twisting apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the self-locking means included with the bonnet comprises a vertically disposed recess within a portion of the bonnet which overlies the supporting ring for the bonnet, a tension spring housed within the recess, a ballshaped member secured to the end of the spring adjacent the supporting ring, and a series of semi-circular indents cut into that face of the supporting ring lying adjacent the portion of the bonnet which houses the recess, said indents lying in spaced-apart relationship in an arcuate path. along a portion of said ring face whereby when the bonnet is rotated the ball member being urged against the ring face will become dislodged from one indent and become lodged in the next succeeding indent which action is progressively repeated until the discharge end of the upper yarn-guide tube has been positioned in its desired relationship with respect to the mouth of the lower yarnguide tube, said bonnet becomig locked in position'when the ball member becomes lodged within one of the indents.

4. In a yarn-twisting apparatus including a housing and an apertured rotatable bonnet for the housing wherein the yarn passes from a yarn package through the apertured bonnet and housing to a twisting device, the .im-

provement comprising an upper yarn-guide tube secured and means for locking the bonnet in position after it has to and depending from the rotatable bonnet and depend been rotated to the desired position.

ing therefrom into the housing interior, a lower yarnguide tube secured to a support affixed to the lower por- References Cited in the file of this patent tion of the housing and extending upwardly therefrom 5 into the housing interior to terminate at a spaced-apart UNITED STATES PATENTS point from the lower end of the upper tube, said tubes 2,397,153 Naumann Mar. 26, 1946 having a bent configuration whereby-when the bonnet is 2,492,778 Agresti et al. Dec. 27, 1949 rotated the discharge end of the upper tube will be moved 2,556,290 Nelson June 12, 1951 horizontally toward or away from the entrance end of 10 2,556,291 Nelson June 12, 1951 the lower tube whereby the tension may be adjusted 2,613,886 Roberts Oct. 14, 1952 upon the yarn traveling through the upper and lower tube, 2,831,309 Berthold Apr. 22, 195 8 

